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Cornish Tea

English tea, Cornwall tea

5.9/10 editor's score

Tea grown in Cornwall. The first locally grown tea in the United Kingdom was harvested in 2005 on an estate near Truro.

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↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Cornish Tea, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafCornish Tea
250 ml water100°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorLight amber
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Tea grown in Cornwall.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate
MilkMilk is optional.
Beginner fit7.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring to autumnMild maritime climate.
Pairs withScones, Clotted cream, BiscuitsLess good with heavy spice
Grown atNear the Truro RiverCornwall, England
Served inTeapot and cupWarmed pot, cup and saucer

About Cornish Tea

What sources say about the taste

Sources cover its history; taste depends on the blend and style.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

CornwallEnglandUNITED KINGDOM
First harvest
2005, Cornwall 1
Estate
Near Truro, Cornwall 2
First plants
1999 2
First sold
November 2005 2

More from Cornwall and United Kingdom.

History and culture

Cornwall had the UK's first outdoor camellias, around 1800 2.

First commercial tea was developed in 2001 2.

Editor's score

5.9/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 6.5Origin & heritage: 5.0Availability: 4.5Value: 6.0Beginner-friendliness: 7.5Versatility: 6.5Flavour 6.5Heritage 5.0Availability 4.5Value 6.0Beginners 7.5Versatility 6.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Cornish Tea~30 to 50 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Our general guide for Cornwall. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis, the Chinese tea plant 2.

How it is made
01Plucking

Spring to autumn.

02Withering

Softened.

03Rolling

Rolled.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Dried.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark leaf.
LiquorLight amber.
After steeping
Wet leafBrown leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Scones
  • Clotted cream
  • Biscuits

Best avoided

  • Heavy spice

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

No formal grades.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Some products blend Cornish and imported leaf.
  2. Read the label.
FAQ
Is tea grown in England?

Yes. The first locally grown UK tea was harvested in Cornwall in 2005 1.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from United KingdomCornwallEuropeRareEngland

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tea in the United Kingdom". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_in_the_United_Kingdom
  2. Wikipedia, "Tregothnan". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tregothnan
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.